Our third visit to Thatanar Rakita Orphanage in Yangon on Saturday, March 15th, was especially successful due to the generosity of Ms. Hla (Emily's Auntie - one of the community service students) who organized for a doctor to come with us. The doctor gave all of the 80 plus children a much needed check-up, which was likely the first time most if not all of the kids had ever been seen by a doctor. As could be seen, most of the children had some kind of fungus disease on their heads. This was diagnosed by the doctor as small mites that bore into the skin and lay eggs causing an infection. The cause of the spreading of the disease was likely to be sharing razor blades when shaving their heads which needed to be done regularly due to lice. As recommended by the doctor, kids will be having their heads shaved less often now and with new blades for each shaving which will be provided by Ms. Hla. This along with medicines will hopefully cure them over time. The doctor felt that the disease was advanced and may take up to a year for everyone to be cured. He plans to return at the end of April to follow-up with the medical treatments.
While the doctor was checking some of the children, the community service students had organized several activities for the children who were waiting their turn or had just come from the doctor's room. Some of the activities included arts & crafts, teaching them English, playing Snakes & Ladders, Games, Snacks and more. This greatly helped the morning go smoothly. More and more I am impressed with how the community service students are working so well with the children, giving them the love and attention that is so needed.
Notice also the photo of the drinking water. This is a new donation from Mr. Johnstone. Many of the donations for the drinking water and the new buildings are coming from some of his good friends from England. We're grateful for all they are doing to help us in our efforts to make this orphanage a happier, healthier and safer place to live.
Hey Guys
thinking about you both a lot lately... so glad you are not only OK after the huge storm, damage, etc... but also that you are able to help relieve the suffering of those more in need
Sending mental energy to try and help you and friends to KEEP UP YOUR EXCELLENT WORK!!!... in the face of even institutional malingering... let alone natures destructive tendancies, and the more commonplace norms of human greed, hatred and ignorance relief workers have to face...
MAy it Goo SMoothly!
Dear Brave, Strong, Courageous WKTammers.... to the Fore!
We are all well here and the retreat is going fine.. tiny, but good first 'assistant led; retreat.
Hot Hot....today...
Posted by: WKT Sara | 05/17/2008 at 09:50 PM
[this is good] News - received an email from the Netherlands today - your details have been spread to THOUSAND of dhamma/meditator practicioners in the NL by the nun running the centre I go to in Amsterdam...
...so the funds should be increasing for this wonderful work to continue
Good luck with your efforts in the states ...
Posted by: WKT Sara | 06/02/2008 at 10:47 PM